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Premier slammed over CMC 'lapdog' comments

Ellen Lutton

Premier Campbell Newman has been given a dressing down by the head of the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee for derogatory comments he made about it being the “lapdog” of the Crime and Misconduct Commission.

Queensland's top crime-fighting body has been under fire all week after errors that saw the watchdog release some sensitive files, and shred others, from the historic Fitzgerald Inquiry into police corruption.

Mr Newman said earlier on Friday that the head of the CMC, Ross Martin had failed the state.

He said Mr Martin should be held to account in the same way ministers were, and made to resign.

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"My concern is we have a senior important public servant who doesn't seem to understand his responsibility or his accountability to the people of Queensland," he said.

He suffers from cystic fibrosis and said his deteriorating condition meant he needed to resign and prepare for a lung transplant.

The PCMC chair Liz Cunningham hit back at the premier's attack on Saturday, defending the outgoing CMC boss and saying the premier needed to take a “mature and measured approach” to the situation.

"Recent media comments made by the premier that the PCMC has become a lapdog to the CMC and 'allowed the CMC to shred documents and inadvertently release documents…' are untrue and have no basis in fact,” she said in a statement.

“The PCMC is not embedded at the CMC offices and therefore does not have day-to-day, or moment-by-moment involvement in the CMC's operations.

“The committee relies on the accountability mechanisms established under the Crime and Misconduct Act which require the CMC to keep the committee informed of issues, such as a break down in, or a breach of, process.

“In this instance, the committee responded quickly and without fear or favour to the information it received about the release of confidential Fitzgerald Inquiry documents.”

Ms Cunningham said the Parliament of Queensland had set in place an “unprecedented and powerful inquiry” which would use powers rarely exercised. She also called for a ban on further commentary on the issue.

“For a fair transparent and unbiased inquiry to proceed, a mature and measured approach by all associated with the committee's inquiry is necessary,” she said.

“On that basis the committee seeks that all persons refrain from further speculation and commentary on the committee's proceedings.”

Queensland Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie said the PCMC had a very important job to do.

"We've made a motion in parliament, supported by all parliamentarians, including the Labor party for an open and public inquiry into this latest debacle with the CMC.

"So now the PCMC will go along. They'll get counsel assisting, but I'm just pleased there will now be a public inquiry.

"This is the first time, as I understand it, that this type of motion has been moved in the house, giving quasi royal commission powers to a parliamentary committee.

"So, I have complete confidence they will carry out the duties the parliament has requested them to do."